Mobbed by TV crews and a posse of photographers, she delighted fans as she punched the air on the back of the Harley, before tucking into fish and chips.

James Arthur and Nicole Scherzinger visit his old bedsit in Saltburn-by-the-Sea

James’s stepdad James Pirie said Nicole had tried a Teesside delicacy, a “Parmo” – a sandwich of chicken covered in Parmesan cheese wrapped in bread crumbs – inside the Victoria pub and “really enjoyed it”.

James and fellow finalist Christopher Maloney were gigging in their hometowns last night.

Christopher may also get to perform with X Factor judge Gary Barlow when he plays in Manchester tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Gary has backed controversial singer Christopher to triumph in the final at the weekend, insisting he has proved judges wrong after weeks of criticism and jibes.

The Take That frontman joined Christopher, 34, for a visit to his hometown of Liverpool, where he visited the call centre for the city’s Mutual Homes office where he worked, having earlier arriving in the city on the Mersey Ferry.

Gary, 41, said: “It’s a big weekend. I didn’t want to sound too confident, but I was. There were a couple of weeks where I thought we could be in trouble, but we weren’t last week.

“Him and Jahmene have never been in the bottom two.”

On the criticism thrown at Christopher, who has been labelled “a fake”, “cheesy” and “dull” on the show, Gary said: “He does take it all to heart. It’s been tricky to watch him.

“I know how hard he works and, when I see him get stick, it’s not nice to watch but he’s proved them wrong and I’m very proud of him.

“One of the big things as well is how Liverpool get behind their own. It has been heartwarming to see.”

Christopher said: “This is all I ever wanted to do, and regardless of what criticism I get I’ve always come back fighting the next week.”

Christopher then invited Gary to join his gran “Nanny Pat” for coffee at her house.